LRT Line 1 extension: A component for growth

Bacoor is the next stop of the highly successful LRT Line I and it will happen come 2004. The LRT Line 1 Extension Project is expected to bring about significant social and economic benefits to the 1.9 million residents of Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas and some towns of Cavite. When the system is in place, commuters will be relieved of the day to day traffic problem that they are now facing while traveling southwards to Cavite.

The LRT Line 1 Extension Project, a 12-kilometer light rail system operating on mostly elevated guideway, utilizes technology compatible with that of the existing LRT line 1. It will consist of eight passenger station and two future stations, a satellite depot. Construction of the first phase, will commence by the last quarter of 2001 and will be completed by 2004.

There will be intermodal stations in Dr. Santos, Zapote and Niyog where there will be a passenger interchange between buses and jeepneys. It will have passenger pickup and drop off areas, bus and jeepney parking and pedestrian walkways to and from station entrances. Each station will have a large concourse to allow comfortable and efficient passenger access.

The automated fare collection system will be compatible with the planned system of existing Light Rail transit lines. It includes magnetically coded tickets using distance related fare structure. Together with manned ticket booths, vending machines will also be in place for passenger convenience.

Ridership on the extension line is expected to be 85 percent of that of the existing line. Line 1 has a high level of ridership at 400,000 passengers a day and has a long history of existing demand. Most of the passengers will use both the existing and the extension. Integration with the existing line is a key factor towards the success of the system. It will now form an continuous line where passengers do not have to get off from Baclaran in order to get to the extension.

The project has been approved by the Investment Coordinating Committee and the GCMCC which paved the way for the signing of a joint venture agreement between the Light Rail Transit Authority and its Canadian partner, SNC-Lavalin International. Since the signing of the agreement, advance works prior to financial are being undertaken to ensure completion by 2004. These include but are not limited to advance engineering preparation for right of way acquisition, resettlement, utility relocation etc. ECC is also in process and a lot of other activities are in place.